Page 79 of Fall I Want
“Autumn. There you are.”
Escaping is now completely out of the question.
He lets go of the woman and I walk toward them, my palms sweaty. Is this his ex? The woman he said would never take him back. He waves me closer and I wish I could read his mind, so I could learn who she is. The last thing I want is a weird confrontation.
“I was just talking about you,” Zane offers, then turns to the woman, who’s watching us.
When our eyes meet, I immediately know who she is—Zane’s younger sister—the girl I played with at the pumpkin patch over two decades ago. The last time I saw her she was with her mom and older brother. But I don’t remember any details about them, just her.
My heart hurts knowing what happened after, not able to imagine how that must feel to lose a parent at such a young age. I can’t comprehend it.
“I’m Harper, or Lucy, although, I don’t go by that name any longer.”
She holds out her arms and squeezes me in a tight hug. “I have very fond memories riding the carnival rides with you on bracelet weekend and playing a lot of games.” She releases me.
“I think those pink bears we won are still at my parents’ place somewhere,” I say with a laugh.
“Really? That’s awesome.”
The two of us became best friends and then I never saw her again. The rumors about Hollow Manor crept up soon afterward, and I stupidly helped perpetuate them.
Zane focuses back on Harper and speaks up. “You should hear the story about the house and how we were all murdered in here. Now three ghosts haunt the quarters.”
It’s creepy how he easily strolls through my thoughts.
“Honestly, Mom would’ve loved that.”
“That’s what I said.” He grins, and it’s true happiness. It’s a good look, one I hope stays.
“Ready to tell me what you’re doing here?” he asks his sister.
“I came to tell you happy birthday, of course. I couldn’t bear the idea of you being here alone on your special day. I wanted to surprise you and I brought your favorite cake.” She glances at the black box on the counter. “The fact it made it here without me swiping my finger across the chocolate icing once is a miracle.”
Harper glances at me and her eyes trail over Zane’s name on my chest. I know how this looks, and I’m totally okay with it.
“But,” she continues, “it seems like you didn’t actually need me.”
“Just ask,” Zane finally says. “You want to.”
“Okay. Are you two together?”
Zane wraps his arm around me and pulls me into him. I study his mouth before meeting his eyes.
“We’re fake dating.” There is heat behind his gaze and words. I could kiss him right here, right now, in the early morning sunlight, because when he looks at me like that, the world fades away.
“Uhh, I see nothing fake about this,” Harper mutters, focusing on her brother. “Please tell me this means you’re attending Dad’s wedding.”
“Only if Autumn joins me.”
“And?” She turns to me, smiling wide, giving me the same doe-eyed expression as Blaire and Julie. She’s already paired us together too. I can see it.
“I’ve agreed,” I explain. “I’m not backing out now.”
She laughs and interlocks her fingers. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when you two walk in. Heads will spin.”
“You think so?” Zane asks.
Harper confidently nods. “Youactuallyfound your forever person.”
